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NavSource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive

Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Forster (DE 334)

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: N - T - E - H
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "CIRCLE DRIVE"

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CLASS: Edsall      TYPE: FMR (geared diesel, Fairbanks-Morse reverse gear drive, 3" guns)
Displacement: 1,200 tons (std) 1,590 tons (full)    Dimensions: 306' (oa), 300' (wl) x 36' 10" x 12' 3" (max)
Armament: 3 x 3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1 twin 40mm Mk1 AA, 8 x 20mm Mk 4 AA, 3 x 21" Mk15 TT (3x1),
1 Hedgehog Projector Mk10 (144 rounds), 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2 Mk9 depth charge tracks
Machinery: 4 Fairbanks-Morse Mod. 38d81/8 geared diesel engines, 4 diesel-generators, 6000 shp, 2 screws
Speed: 21 knots    Range: 9,100 nm @ 12 knots    Crew: 8 / 201

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Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Consolidated Steel, Orange TX on 31 August 1943, Launched 13 November 1943
Commissioned 25 January 1944, Decommissioned 15 June 1946
Loaned to USCG and Recommissioned WDE-434, 29 June 1951
Returned USN and Decommissioned 25 May 1954
Reclassified and converted DER-331, 21 October 1955
Recommissioned 23 October 1956, Decommissioned 25 September 1971
Stricken 25 September 1971

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Fate: Loaned to South Vietnam, 25 September 1971; renamed Tran Khanh Du (HQ-04). Captured by North Vietnamese
after the fall of Saigon, 29 April 1975. Written off as "transferred to Vietnam", 30 April 1975. Renamed Dai Ky
(HQ-03). Equipped with 2 quad SA-N-5 Grail launchers; in use as a training ship since 1993. Still operational as of 1997.

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By And/Or Copyright
	56k	4 February 1952: Mare Island NSY - Aft plan view of USS Forster (WDE 434), inboard, and USS Newell (WDE 422) at Mare Island. Both were in overhaul at the yard from 10 September 1951 to 5 February 1952. (US Navy photo #DE 344 11701-52)		Darryl Baker
	56k	4 February 1952: Mare Island NSY - Forward plan view of USS Forster (WDE 434), inboard, and USS Newell (WDE 422). (US Navy photo #DE 344 11698-52)		Darryl Baker
	121k	19 September 1962: location unknown - Commander Gordon R. Nagler and Admiral John H. Sides examine the the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy plaque, during ceremonies in which Forster received the award. Established in 1962 in honor of former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN, this award plaque's sculptor was H. de Bellis. In 1971 this trophy was transferred to the collections of the Curator of the Department of the Navy. (USNHC Photo #NH55887 and National Archives Photo #1061190)		Bill Gonyo
	56k	RD2 Phil Burton had this photo scanned and printed from a cruise book photo, circa 1964		Dick Hallowell RD1 ('64-'66)
	78k	May 1966: Kaohsiung, Taiwan - a nice shot of Forster's Hedgehog launcher		Larry Backus
	87k	January 1969: Pearl Harbor - As DER 334		© Richard Leonhardt
	38k	passing the USS Renville (APA 227)		Lt Richard Dawson USS Renville (APA 227)
	38k	undated: ex-USS Forster as HQVN Tran Khanh Du (HQ-4)		Bang Le

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View the USS Forster (DE 334), DANFS history entry
located on the US Naval Historical Center web site.

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Crew Contact And Reunion Information

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Contact Name: Byron Maggos
Address: 17506 Meadowbrook Drive / Grayslake IL 60030
Phone: (847) 918-9734
E-mail: Byron Maggos

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Note About Contacts